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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Do new patches that are incorporated in the "stable tree" of older kernel versions make it back into the distros? (kbin.social)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by TingoTenga@kbin.social to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Hi! This is a bit of a newbie question, so please bear with me.

I purchased a laptop that has a specific hardware issue under Linux (the keyboard does not function). A patch fixing the issue was approved for 6.8 and incorporated in the "stable tree" of older kernels: 5.4, 5.10, 5.15, 6.6, 6.7, etc.

My question is: Do distros ship with an updated kernel that incorporates all the patches? Or does the user need to update after installation for the patches to be applied? I imagine that it may perhaps vary from distro to distro, but I honestly don't know.

The question is relevant for me because, potentially, I would have to install the actual distro and update, rather than just try out a live version.

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[–] ayaya@lemdro.id 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

In Arch there are AUR packages for specific versions so you don't have to do it yourself. Arch is about picking and choosing your packages, but not really about actually building/patching things on your own like LFS or Gentoo.

Although picking a rolling-release distro and then using an outdated kernel does seem counter-intuitive.

[–] fkn@lemmy.world -4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

This is one of those comments that causes Arch to get the reputation that it does. You aren't wrong and you probably don't intend to be off-putting but here we are.

[–] ayaya@lemdro.id 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I don't understand. What is the problem with what I said? I am genuinely confused by your response.

How is it off-putting that you can install a package with the exact version you want instead of doing it yourself. What you said puts more people off of Arch, not me. What you said makes Arch sound more complicated than it is.